Those who are sick should not go into work and avoid social functions and other gathering places to keep from spreading the flu, common cold, and other viral illnesses.

As the flu season ramps up, so will Berkshire Health Systems' efforts to remind people not to visit patients at BMC, Fairview Hospital or any other BHS facilities if they are younger than 18, ill or are experiencing flu or flu-like symptoms.

Those symptoms include fever, chills, body aches, coughing or fatigue.